Oak Ridge / Tennessee / United States
Central Baptist Church began in the mid-40s as a misson Sunday school and worship service conducted by the First Baptist Church in the Gamble Valley Trailer Camp. On May 18, 1947, a group of Christians met in the gymnasium of the Highland View Elementary School to organize a new Baptist church. The Rev. J.R. Black, who was acting pastor, was called as regular pastor. The newly organized church was named Highland View Baptist Church. Within three years, the membership grew to 400. On March 1, 1951, the Rev. Kenneth B. Combs was called as pastor. Later in 1951, the church began meeting in the newly completed Oak Ridge High School and adopted the new name of Central Baptist Church. The congregation moved into the existing location at 130 Providence Road in May, 1953. A new sanctuary was completed in 1986 and the original sanctuary was renamed Combs Hall in Honor of the Rev. Combs. Today, Central Baptist Church continues to offer several ministries to Oak Ridge and the surrounding counties. We continue with live coverage of our Sunday worship services on Cable Channel 12 at 11 a.m. to reach those who are not able to come. Central maintains a mission home for missionaries when they are back in the U.S. on sabbaticals as well as offering local missions programs to reach those in need. Our "Central" mission is directly from the Bible. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all commands I have given you; and know I am with you always, even to the ends of the earth." Matthew 28: 19-20
